Pubdate: Sat, 26 Jun 2010
Source: National, The (UAE)
Copyright: 2010 Abu Dhabi Media Company
Contact:  http://www.thenational.ae/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4896
Author: Mahmoud Habboush

DRUG WAR INTENSIFIES AT BORDER CROSSINGS

ABU DHABI // Efforts to keep illegal drugs out of the country have 
been stepped up with increased vigilance at border crossings, the 
Government said yesterday.

Major Gen Khamis Saif bin Suweif, the director general of criminal 
security at the Ministry of Interior, said the police had a twin 
strategy of preventing drugs from being brought in and reducing 
demand for them, by educating people on the dangers of drug abuse and 
increasing help for users.

His comments came on the eve of the International Day Against Drug 
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which takes place today.

In 2008, the United Nations' International Narcotics Control Board 
said the UAE had become a "major exporting and trans-shipping area" 
for highly addictive drugs such as heroin and amphetamines. Much of 
the narcotics was from Afghanistan, it said.

Yesterday, Dubai Customs said it had foiled 251 drug-smuggling 
attempts over the past five months, a 33 per cent increase compared 
with the same period last year.

Drug traffickers from 32 countries were arrested at air, sea and land 
ports. Narcotics including cocaine, opium, cannabis, heroin and 
morphine were seized. Customs officials said smugglers had developed 
highly sophisticated techniques. Drugs had been found hidden in 
electronic devices, paintings and clocks, they said.

In January, an Asian tried to smuggle 1.4kg of methamphetamine 
(crystal meth) by swallowing 124 capsules. A European who used the 
same method was caught with almost a kilogramme of pure cocaine.

An African was arrested with 651.5g of heroin and a passenger coming 
from an Asian country attempted to smuggle 72 capsules of crystal 
meth in March. In April, customs officers seized 2.5kg of cannabis 
which had been wrapped in four paintings that were to be shipped from 
Asia to Europe via Dubai.

The international campaign day was established by the UN in 1987. 
Here, police forces will hold awareness campaigns under the theme "My 
Family Happiness . No Drugs".

Gen bin Suweif said parents should shoulder the main responsibility 
of ensuring that their children kept away from drugs and religious 
values played a strong part. He urged parents to monitor their 
children's behaviour to detect early any changes which might indicate 
drug problems.

Abu Dhabi Police held an anti-drugs exhibition at Al Wahda Mall 
yesterday. Officers gave out brochures that carried one message - 
think about your family before abusing drugs.

A similar campaign was launched by Dubai Police at Dubai Festival 
City. It was supported by local groups, including the Arab Family 
Organisation and the Emirates Motor Sports Federation. Al Ain and 
Western Region Police will start campaigns tomorrow which will run 
until July 5.

There are no official figures available on drug abuse in the UAE. 
However, officials at the National Rehabilitation Centre said it had 
treated 300 patients from 2002, when it opened, to February this year.

Yesterday's sermons were also part of the national campaign. Imams 
warned that the consumption of drugs and alcohol amounted to suicide. 
They advised worshippers to maintain strong family ties, while urging 
the young to avoid too much free time as well as bad peer influence.
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